Stare

Rory Adams' song 'Stare' delves into the emotional turmoil of unrequited love and the struggle to move on from someone who remains a significant part of one's life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of sleepless nights and emotional battles, as the protagonist grapples with the pain of loving someone who does not reciprocate those feelings. The recurring imagery of a 'grey night' and a 'blue lake' soaking the pillowcase symbolizes the sadness and tears that accompany this unfulfilled longing. The protagonist waits in vain for a response, highlighting the loneliness and despair that often accompany unrequited love.

The song's chorus reveals the internal conflict faced by the protagonist. They admit to avoiding eye contact because they fear falling 'a thousand flights again,' a metaphor for the overwhelming and consuming nature of their feelings. This fear of losing oneself in love is a powerful theme, as the protagonist acknowledges the progress they thought they had made in moving on, only to be pulled back by a single beat of the drum, representing the persistent and uncontrollable nature of their emotions. The act of closing their eyes and swearing not to stare, yet being unable to resist, underscores the helplessness and inevitability of their attraction.

In the bridge, the protagonist expresses a desire to be free from these feelings, yet admits that the person they love still feels like home. This dichotomy of wanting to move on but being unable to let go is a common struggle in unrequited love. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the cyclical nature of these emotions, as the protagonist continues to wait and stare, caught in a loop of longing and heartache. Rory Adams captures the essence of this emotional struggle with poignant lyrics and a haunting melody, making 'Stare' a relatable and moving exploration of unrequited love.